Recorded for Prestige's Bluesville subsidiary in 1960 and reissued on CD for Fantasy's Original Blues Classics (OBC) series in 1990,
Lightnin' is among the rewarding acoustic dates
Lightnin' Hopkins delivered in the early '60s. The session has an informal, relaxed quality, and this approach serves a 48-year-old
Hopkins impressively well on both originals like
"Thinkin' 'Bout an Old Friend" and the familiar "Katie Mae" and enjoyable interpretations of
Sonny Terry &
Brownie McGhee's "Back to New Orleans" and
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "Mean Old Frisco."
Hopkins' only accompaniment consists of bassist
Leonard Gaskin and drummer
Belton Evans, both of whom play in an understated fashion and do their part to make this intimate setting successful. From the remorseful "Come Back Baby" to more lighthearted, fun numbers like "You Better Watch Yourself" and "Automobile Blues,"
Lightnin' is a lot like being in a small club with
Hopkins as he shares his experiences, insights and humor with you. ~ Alex Henderson
